Lettuce, Heatwave Blend

Lettuce that keeps its cool in the heat, remaining productive and tasty longer.

Burpee Exclusive

Customer Favorite!

Feast both your eyes and your palette on lettuces that thrive in the heat and remain productive and tasty longer than all others. Our choice"slow bolt" varieties include green and red crisphead, green romaine and multiple textures and colors of looseleaf.

Growing Calendars are based on location and growing Zone.Enter your zip to see a calendar for your area:

How to Sow

Sow lettuce seeds in average soil in full sun in early spring for first crop, in late summer for fall crop. Sow every 2 weeks to extend harvests. (In late summer, sow lettuce seeds in a protected area where the temperature is below 75 degree F.) Sow thinly in rows 12" apart and cover with 1/4" of fine soil. Space the sowings according to packet directions that are based on the size of the mature lettuce. Firm lightly and keep evenly moist. Seedlings emerge in 7-10 days.

How to Grow

Lettuce seedlings emerge in 7-10 days. Thin to stand 8" apart when 1-2" high. Keep lettuce plants well watered during dry periods to promote rapid, uninterrupted growth. Lettuce is shallow-rooted, so avoid disturbing the soil around the plants when weeding. Unless there is regular rainfall, lettuce plants must be watered deeply at least once a week and more frequently during periods of drought. Mulch your home garden with a layer of compost or clean straw to help the soil retain moisture.

Harvesting

For the best quality, pick lettuce early rather than late as lettuce allowed to grow too long may be bitter and tough. Try to harvest lettuce in the morning when the leaves are crisp, sweet, and full of moisture. Harvest looseleaf types anytime the leaves are large enough to use. Harvest butterhead types when they have formed heads and the leaves are a good size. Cut the heads below the crown. On leaf types, you can just pick a few leaves at a time, if you like. Lettuce is the classic ingredient in salads. It adds crispness to sandwiches and can be used as a garnish, braised, or added to soups. Many of the looseleaf cultivars are decorative in the garden.